I've got the seed tray on the kitchen windowsill above the sink so I can watch them grow, just for a day or two. Seems like pretty good germination, except for the shallots and the White Wing. They must be old seed. I'll have to throw those packets out. (I'll get them under lights soon, as the sun isn't very strong here yet.)
Tuesday, March 03, 2015
a whole bunch of little onion seedlings
I've got the seed tray on the kitchen windowsill above the sink so I can watch them grow, just for a day or two. Seems like pretty good germination, except for the shallots and the White Wing. They must be old seed. I'll have to throw those packets out. (I'll get them under lights soon, as the sun isn't very strong here yet.)
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Ok, the seedlings I started in my basement a couple weeks ago have mostly died. They were on a heat mat, because it's 50 degrees down there. I know you can't diagnose the problem in a comment (it could have been a watering issue) but should I take them off the heat mat once they germinate? Especially for cool weather crops like broccoli, kale, lettuce?
Amy, that's sad :(
After planting indoors, broccoli seeds should ideally be kept warm, about 75 F, until germination and then ideally plants should be 60-65 F. Low temperatures, 30-40F, for extended period can stunt the plants, but I am reading that anywhere from 50 to 85 is OK. How hot was your mat? I find it hard to believe the mat was the problem. I'm guessing it would be OK to have it either on or off.
I would suspect the problem was not watering enough, or more likely, too much water and not enough air circulation causing damping off. Using old soil or unwashed pots can also cause damping off. This is a fungal disease that is a common problem for seedlings.
Do you have good airflow in the basement? I am going to put a fan on my seedlings because my new house doesn't have the same good airflow that my old house did.
Oh, they're all so cute! I find seedlings SO heartening, so full of promise. =) You've inspired me, guess I'll head to the greenhouse.
I'm going to go with no on the good airflow. I'll put a small fan down there tonight. The last time I tempted the soil on the mat (with a meat thermometer) it was 75 degrees.
I've heard that sprinkling cinnamon on top of your soil when starting seeds can help combat damping off. I sprinkled all of my see starts with it this year.
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